"Even pups like to paw-ty!" That was the opening line of the City of Cedar Park's listing for Tail of Lights last December. The listing invited owners to dress their dogs in holiday outfits, take a picture with "Santa Paws," walk a lit path, and stop by yappy-hour treats and pet-friendly vendors, all at Lakeline Park.
That listing also shows where the city has been moving its holiday season. In 2024, Tail of Lights was held at Veterans Memorial Park. In 2025 it moved to Lakeline Park, at 1510 Alexis Drive, the night after the park hosted the city's family holiday night. The City's December 2026 calendar puts both events back at Lakeline Park, again on a Friday and Saturday in a row. Lakeline Park now holds the biggest weekend of Cedar Park's holiday season. The rest of the season is arranged around it.
Two Nights in a Row at Lakeline Park
A Jolly, Bright, Lakeline Night is on the calendar for Friday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tail of Lights follows on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the same park.
The Friday event also got longer this year. Last year's version, on Dec. 12, 2025, ran from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The 2026 listing ends at 9 p.m., so the family night now runs half an hour later than the dog night that follows it.
The 2026 listings don't have descriptions yet, so last year's are the best preview. The city's 2025 listing called Lakeline Night "the jolliest night in Cedar Park," with twinkling lights, family-friendly activities, holiday music, warm treats and Santa's arrival. KXAN's 2025 holiday roundup listed it as a holiday market at Lakeline Park. The program could change this year, so check the city calendar in early December before you head out.
This setup is newer than the park's long-term plans. As of Community Impact's June 2026 parks update, Lakeline Park Phase 2 was still in design. That phase includes expanded trails, a canopy walkway and disc golf, with a fall 2028 target. A pedestrian bridge linking the park to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail and the YMCA had a revised completion estimate of Feb. 1, 2028. So the city moved its biggest holiday weekend to Lakeline Park years before the park's next round of improvements.
Saturday, Dec. 12, With the Dog
For dog owners, Tail of Lights is the main event of the season, and Dec. 12 also lines up with the Texas Farmers Market at the Bell District. Here's one way to spend that Saturday:
- Morning at 200 S. Bell Blvd. The Texas Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Dec. 12 is on its schedule. The Bell District lists the market and the library as the parts of the development that are open now.
- Afternoon at home with the outfit. Last year's Tail of Lights listing asked owners to dress their dogs in "their best holiday outfit" for the Santa Paws photo, which is worth knowing before you leave the house.
- 6:30 p.m. at Lakeline Park. In 2025 the event included a lit walking path, holiday music, yappy-hour treats and pet-friendly vendors. Expect something similar, but the 2026 program hasn't been posted.
If your dog doesn't do well in crowds, the Friday night is the better pick for the family, and Saturday can be a quieter walk somewhere else.
The Tree Lighting Moves to a Wednesday
The tree lighting usually opens the season, and this year it's on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The 2026 calendar lists the location only as "Heritage." In past years the City placed the ceremony at Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, so that's the likely spot. The 2026 listing doesn't give an address, though, so confirm before you go.
The day of the week has moved around. The 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony was on Friday, Dec. 6. In 2025 it moved to Wednesday, Dec. 3, according to KXAN. The 2026 date puts it on a school night again.
The tree has a history. Community Impact's 2022 holiday guide called the ceremony the city's annual tradition. That year, more than 50,000 lights went onto Cedar Park's largest live oak, alongside a Santa's Wonderland with performances, a snow hill, food vendors and photos with Santa. That's a description of the 2022 event, so this year's could look different.
Santa makes two stops on Saturday, Dec. 5. Breakfast with Santa is at the Recreation Center, 1435 Main St., and the calendar lists it as an all-day event. Photos with Santa is that evening, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the same "Heritage" location as the tree. In 2024, the City described the breakfast as a program for children ages 2 to 5 and a parent or guardian, with a waffle bar, stories, songs, Santa photos and an ornament to take home. If your kids are in that age range, watch for registration details.
The Season on One Page
| Date | Event | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Nov. 12 | Acoustic Nights | The Backyard, 431 Pecan Wood Dr. | Evening, per Bell District listing |
| Sun., Nov. 15 | Cedar Park Holiday Makers Market | The Backyard, 431 Pecan Wood Dr. | Noon to 5 p.m. |
| Wed., Dec. 2 | Tree Lighting | "Heritage," likely Heritage Oak Park | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Breakfast with Santa | Recreation Center, 1435 Main St. | Listed as all day |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Photos with Santa | "Heritage" | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
| Fri., Dec. 11 | A Jolly, Bright, Lakeline Night | Lakeline Park, 1510 Alexis Dr. | 6:30 to 9 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | Tail of Lights | Lakeline Park, 1510 Alexis Dr. | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. |
| Every Saturday | Texas Farmers Market | 200 S. Bell Blvd. | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
The city's events are bunched into the first two weekends of December. Most of what comes earlier happens at one spot downtown.
November Happens at the Backyard
Before the city's December events start, The Backyard at the Bell District, 431 Pecan Wood Dr., hosts most of what's happening.
The Bell District is piloting a series called Acoustic Nights at The Backyard. The Thursday, Nov. 12 listing promises local music, food and sweet treats, with the performer still to be announced.
Three days later, on Sunday, Nov. 15, the Cedar Park Holiday Makers Market takes over the same space from noon to 5 p.m. It's free, presented by Botanical Makers Market with PTFCP. Local makers will sell handcrafted and sustainable gifts, and there will be free gift-wrapping and a station for making air-dry clay ornaments. That makes Nov. 15 the season's first good shopping day, two and a half weeks before the tree lighting.
The Texas Farmers Market at the Bell District is on every Saturday on the calendar through the end of the year: Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28, and Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Two of those Saturdays fall on the city's biggest days. On Dec. 5, the market is followed by the evening Santa photos at Heritage. On Dec. 12, it's followed by Tail of Lights.
New Places for Errands Between Events
A few businesses that opened this fall are useful stops between events.
- Patel Brothers, a South Asian grocery at 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Ste. 101, opened Sept. 9, Community Impact reported. It's a good option if you're stocking up for holiday cooking.
- Tutta Bella, an Italian restaurant serving house-baked pasta, opened in September at 1310 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 120.
- Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine, a South Indian restaurant, opened Sept. 22 at 14300 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Bldg. 1, Ste. 106, on the Cedar Park–Leander line.
- Malina Flowers is expected to open at 309 N. Bell Blvd. in late November, offering custom arrangements and same-day delivery, according to Community Impact. That's a forecast, so check that it's open before you plan on it for holiday flowers.
- The Crossover at 1717 Scottsdale Drive now has two new options for kids. The indoor playground at Strong Sprouts, in Ste. 200, opened Sept. 23, according to Community Impact. Its youth gym and Son Rise Cafe were expected to be fully running ahead of the Oct. 16–17 grand opening. MonkeySports, which sells hockey, lacrosse and baseball gear, opened Sept. 12 in Ste. 100. One is a rainy-day plan and the other is a stop for gifts for young athletes.
Two openings people are watching are further off. A state filing for the 7 Brew drive-through at 2901 E. Whitestone Blvd. estimated construction completion in December 2026, which is a construction target rather than an opening date. Kilwins, at 901 Arrow Point Drive, isn't projected to finish renovations until May 2027.
If you have a dog, Tail of Lights is the night you'll want on your calendar, and it's the kind of event our "For The Pups" program is about. We'd love to see you on the lit path Dec. 12. If you have questions about your home, or about life on any side of Cedar Park, Dueñas Realty Group is happy to talk. Start with a free consultation and home valuation whenever you're ready.
